Markell clean water proposal gains little traction

Members of a committee advising lawmakers and officials on drinking water and wastewater issues in Delaware are concerned a clean-water initiative proposed by Governor Markell has failed to win much support in the legislature.

The chairman of Delaware's Water Infrastructure Advisory Council says he's disappointed state lawmakers have resisted Markell's plan. The chair encourages members to contact legislators and urge them to support the plan.

Markell has proposed an annual fee on Delaware households and businesses to pay for a comprehensive plan to clean up Delaware's waterways.

Administration officials say the fees, which would be indexed to inflation and collected through county property taxes, would generate about $30 million annually.